Enchantment (The Fae Sister Chronicles Book 1)

by Tanya Dawson

  “Leave it to you to make this a party, Grandma.” Ruby said hugging her.

  I got sentimental at the thought of this possibly being my last night in this house. It made me sad to think that my pledge would also end friendships that I would miss forever. The gravity of what the pledge meant was sinking in and I was scared of messing it up.

  We walked into the hall and I began to feel at ease. The house was full of fae and Skylar was by my side. I had a few hours to think about what I was going to do and make my peace with it. My decision wouldn’t be easy and in a way, I was also picking between Henry and Skylar.

  “Let’s introduce you to everyone, Olivia. There are many people here excited to meet you.” Grandmother took my hand and we walked to the Parlour room. Just as we were about to enter, there was a knock at the door. My heart stopped. Who would have been able to walk through all those vampires and still be alive to knock on our door? I looked to my Grandmother as she fiercely walked to the door angrily. She swung the door open and Henry was standing there.

  Everyone gathered around me to look at him.

  “You can’t come in here Vampire, so why knock on my door?” Grandmother said defiantly.

  Henry stood there and smiled as he took two steps into the house.

  CHAPTER 20: HENRY

  NORMALLY I WOULD FEEL proud to have the fae on their toes, but I was not happy to see the look on Olivia’s face as I stepped into the house. I gathered that she didn’t know not to ask me in and she hadn’t told anyone that she did.

  Her grandmother Debbie’s face showed a look of shock as I was the first vampire ever to enter a Whitby home.

  “Olivia?” Debbie turned to her, obviously disappointed in her little fae protégé.

  “I didn’t know. No one told me anything.” She pleaded with her family.

  She only looked at me when I entered the house. I tried to gain eye contact but she looked away from me and she looked scared. Of course she would be with the number of vampires outside.

  Ruby moved behind me and closed the door as the vampires had moved up onto the lawn of the house.

  “Let’s go to the Parlour room to negotiate.” She said as she looked at her grandmother.

  “Only family and Henry.” Debbie said as she scoffed when saying my name.

  We all followed her into the Parlour as all the fae cleared the room. I happily passed by Skylar and gave him my best smile as there was nothing he could do about it.

  As we entered the room, I took it all in. The books, seating, the grandness of it all. I knew my father would be envious of me knowing more than he ever would.

  “So when did you let him in?” Lily cornered Olivia as Ruby barely closed the door.

  “Still bossing people around I see.” I took a seat in a large chair and gestured to them to join me. I knew Lily well at one point, as she dated my brother Walt in high school. It was before they both pledged so it was allowed, but not encouraged.

  “Shut up you little shit!” Lily came at me quickly but Ruby grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

  “Don’t give him what he wants.” She whispered to Lily, but I could hear as clear as day.

  “What do you want?” Debbie sat down in the chair across from me as the sisters stood. Olivia still had not made eye contact with me.

  “First to talk to Olivia alone.” I said looking at her to see if she would look back.

  “No.” Debbie said firmly. “Next?”

  “I speak to Olivia first, alone. Stand outside the door, she can scream if she needs you.” I leaned over and spoke directly to Debbie. She was the one in power.

  Debbie looked back at them and Lily and Ruby shook their head no and Olivia kept her back turned to me.

  “I brought her back here when she was attacked. If I wanted to hurt her, I would have stayed.” I knew Debbie was reasonable and eventually she would agree. I just had to get her there.

  “Olivia.” She called over her shoulder while keeping her eyes on me. “Would you like to speak to Henry alone?”

  I held Debbie’s stare for a few moments. Then I heard a faint “Yes” come from Olivia.

  “You have fifteen minutes. We will be right outside that door and any commotion or sound we will be here within seconds. Remember you are in a house full of fae.” Debbie got up and I wanted to say something back to her, but I wanted to talk to Olivia more.

  Debbie took Ruby and Lily by the arms and walked them out of the room giving me a stern look before she left. Olivia remained by the door wrapped up in a blanket staring at the floor.

  “Are you ok?” I got up to walk towards her but she backed away from me. My heart dropped as I knew they had gotten to her.

  “We have nothing to discuss.” She said hugging the blanket tightly around her. Her face was still very pale and the bandage was now off her neck revealing a large bruise.

  “I didn’t bring those vampires here. It was my father after Hannah told him I was invited in.” I pleaded with her to believe me.

  “You tricked me.” She said angrily. “You knew I didn’t know anything about vampires and you used that against me.”

  I watched her walk towards the window away from me and she closed every curtain forcefully.

  “I didn’t trick you, Olivia. This was never my plan. I just wanted to be alone with you.”

  “Look what you brought to my front door.” She waved her arm in the air, pointing to the windows.

  “I had nothing to do with that and I’m not here with them. I’m here to help you get out.” I tried to walk close to her but she kept her distance from me.

  “I don’t trust you anymore Henry.”

  Her words stung. She was the first thing that I was ever serious about and cared for. I went against my family for her. All of that was for nothing. I went back in forth in my head how I would proceed. Should I fight for her? Or save my mother?

  “They are expecting me to bring you out of here.” I said as she peeked out of the curtain.

  “Well, I’m not going.” She said defiantly.

  “I don’t want you to go.” I said softly. I wanted to make this all go away but I couldn’t.

  “Then why are you here?” She asked. “If you aren’t on your father’s side, why did you come in?”

  “Please sit with me.” I sat on the couch and patted the seat next to me. She reluctantly took it.

  I had to make a choice here and quickly. I could obey my father and try to get the stone to help my mother or I could help Olivia escape.

  “It’s not just vampires out there. There are rogue witches, as well. They know about the tunnel and your escape plan. There is likely a mole in your group feeding them the information.” I paused as I watched her sit back silently and stare straight ahead. Her dark red hair made her complexion even paler.

  “I’m not getting out of here.” She said in a low voice, “Am I?”

  “I’ll do everything in my power to get you out. There’s something else.”

  I took a deep breath and rubbed my hands on my legs and thought about the right way to tell her this.

  “I need you to help me, Olivia.”

  “How can I help you?” She looked at me confused, as if I had all the power now.

  “Your family has a stone that belonged to the witches. They’ve had it for centuries and I need that stone.”

  “I have no idea where it is. And if I asked, I don’t think they would tell me.” She said softly.

  She was right, they likely would not give her any information until she was fae.

  “If I get you to The Stacks safely, will you help me get the stone?”

  “Grandmother!” She yelled towards the door.

  I got up to protest but Debbie, Ruby and Lily entered as soon as Olivia called them.

  “Yes.” Debbie said as she made her way straight to Olivia.

  I stood there looking at Olivia to try to determine what she was going to say. My heart raced as I didn’t know if she was on my side and believed me or n
ot.

  “Henry is here to help. I fully believe that.” She said to the three others. I could tell by the look on their faces, they were not as on board.

  “Olivia, I know you have a relationship with this boy.” Debbie said as she was cut off by Lily. “Vampire.”

  “He’s not with his father. I know this for a fact. He’s also told me that the vampires know our plan.” She said.

  I didn’t expect her to tell them what I had said, but at this point we didn’t have much time. If they put their trust in me then it worked.

  “They know about the tunnel.” I said to confirm what Olivia was telling them.

  “How could they know?” Ruby stepped forward and asked.

  “There is a rogue witch in the pack.” I said.

  “Why would a witch be working with vampires?” Ruby asked.

  “Because they want the stone that you have. But I want you to give it to me.” I said as a look of shock came over their faces. “I’ll help divert them, if I can have the stone.”

  Debbie’s face was stone cold. I knew that I needed her to see my side as she was the one making the decisions.

  “I can’t do that.” Debbie said.

  “Not for Olivia?” I asked surprised at her response.

  “The stone has nothing to do with Olivia and it’s not up for negotiation.” She said.

  I stood up, frustrated, and paced back and forth. I hadn’t expected her to say no. Olivia was my only leverage. I looked back at the four of them staring at me, waiting for my next move.

  I was annoyed at myself for not playing this right. Of course I would still help Olivia, but I didn’t want them to know that so soon.

  “If I help you get Olivia to The Stacks, will you let me borrow the stone?” I tried to sound like I wasn’t pleading.

  “I will help your mother.” Debbie said sympathetically.

  “Thank you.” I said, not expecting her to know and be willing to help a vampire.

  “I knew your mother before she married. I have no problem helping her. For the record, I did not agree with what happened to her.” Debbie said.

  I shook my head with acknowledgment. I hadn’t known that they knew each other and I wondered what kind of relationship they had to make her want to help me. She would be risking herself for a blow-up with the witches, not just the local coven.

  “It’s settled then. What is your plan, young Henry?” Debbie took a seat and looked at me intently.

  The sisters stood behind Debbie. Ruby embracing, Olivia and Lily standing with her arms crossed not liking this one bit.

  “They expect me to come out with Olivia and they know about the tunnel and your plan to use it come day break. Let me take her to The Stacks now. No one else can know except everyone in this room.” I knew it would take them a while to think my plan over even though it was simple. I sat back as they gathered together in the corner talking. They spoke in fae so I could not listen in.

  I watched Olivia and her body language. It hurt me that she didn’t trust me anymore. I wasn’t sure where our relationship had taken a turn but I knew we didn’t have much time to get back to where it was. I was hoping our time alone in the tunnel would help her gain my trust again.

  “We have discussed it and we want to send one more person with you.” Debbie said as she took her seat again, telling me she thought this would take some negotiating.

  “It would be too obvious if one of you left, too.” I said not liking their idea.

  “Who said it would be one of us?” Debbie replied.

  I looked towards Olivia and she avoided my stare. Immediately it hit me, who they wanted to tag along with us – Skylar.

  “No. It’s just the two of us.” I said angrily. I would not spend my last moments with her, with him anywhere near us. “Either you trust me or you don’t.”

  “I trust him.” Olivia said in a small voice. They all looked at her with different expressions. I wasn’t sure who would win this one.

  “Are you sure?” Debbie asked.

  “She can’t make this decision.” Lily interrupted.

  “We can’t make it for her. It’s time for her to pledge and spending a half an hour more with Henry is unlikely to change her mind.” Ruby chimed in.

  “She will go alone.” Debbie’s voice was not to be challenged. She knew her granddaughter’s strength. “We will stay in this room for another hour. You have that long to get her there. Then we will go to The Stacks and if she is not there...” Debbie looked at me angrily. “I will leave your mother to die, and soon.”

  I didn’t take her words for granted. I knew she was speaking the truth, and not just trying to scare me. I nodded in respect and walked over to Olivia.

  “Are you ready for this?” I asked.

  “No.” She said quickly.

  Debbie walked over to the wall and hid what she was doing, but seconds later the wall opened and revealed a secret tunnel.

  “Take this entry and listen to Olivia. She will be the only one that will be able to guide you.”

  “How will I know?” Olivia seemed to panic.

  “You will listen to your gut.” Debbie took Olivia’s hand and placed it on her stomach. “That little voice inside your head is always right.”

  I watched as Debbie kissed her forehead and Ruby hugged her tight. Lily didn’t move and kept an angry stare on me at all times.

  “We will see you soon in The Stacks. There is nothing to be afraid of.” Debbie gave her one more kiss and hug.

  Olivia looked at me, then we made our way into the tunnel. It was dark and wet. It echoed as we walked through.

  “You’re the leader.” I said as we both used our cell phones as lights.

  We walked for a few minutes in silence. It felt awkward around her and I hated it. I wanted it to be like it was before I took her to our den.

  As she walked in front of me, I shone my light just to the side of her. Her long dark red hair curled with the humidity. I wanted so badly to move it off of her neck.

  “I think it’s this way.” She said as she turned to walk right into the wall. My hand quickly reached out to stop her, but it was an optical illusion as we were walking into another tunnel.

  “Sorry, I didn’t see it.” I said embarrassed.

  “I know.” She said, and turned to keep going. She was avoiding me.

  “How are you doing?” I asked with a crack in my voice.

  “Getting better. I think after I pledge I should be able to heal myself and get out any residual vampire blood.” She said confidently.

  “So, you’re going to pledge fae?” I asked.

  “I don’t know yet.” She said.

  “Whatever you pledge, I just want you to know my feelings for you are real and I would never hurt you. If it means anything at all.” I said with my head down.

  To my shock, she turned around quickly and kissed me on the lips. I kissed her back passionately, as if it were our last kiss. She finally pulled back and we just memorized each other’s faces. Her eyes were wet and in my heart, I knew she was going to pledge fae and this was her way of saying goodbye to me.

  “My feelings were real, too.” She said then turned from me to continue on.

  We walked for several minutes and I followed silently as she navigated the tunnels with perfection. Finally we came to the door to lead us to the road. This was the most dangerous part as we would be exposed.

  “Ready to protect me?” She turned back with a faint smile.

  “Always.” I replied back.

  She opened the tunnel door and it lead us into a warehouse. We immediately saw the exit sign and quickly made our way before anyone saw us.

  We opened the door and all was quiet. The street lights were bright and the alley was clear. We looked at each other one last time and started to run as fast as we could to The Stacks. My heart pounded almost out of my chest as I listened to every sound and breathed in every smell.

  As we neared The Stacks entry way, I caught the scent of a va
mpire that was near. I feared they somehow had followed us or had someone waiting there. I pulled Olivia’s arm into an alley way.

  “There’s a vampire out there.” I tried to catch my breath from running.

  “You have to turn.” She said confidently.

  She was right. I was in no way able to protect her in my human form. I stepped back from her and turned quickly, it was easier since I had been transforming back and forth so much the past few months.

  “Run ahead of me.” I said to her and she took off from the alley.

  I ran easily a few feet behind her trying to find the vampire. His scent got stronger as we approached The Stacks. Suddenly, she stopped in front of me. I was too busy looking around to notice and almost ran her over.

  “I can take it from here.” My brother, Walt, said as we both stood back from him.

  “She’s going in alone. She wants to pledge to us.” I said, hoping I sounded convincing.

  “Step aside, Henry.” He said as he began walking towards us. He had already turned and was much stronger than I was.

  “No.” I pulled Olivia behind me.

  Before I could think of my next idea, a parked car suddenly lifted off the road and was hurdling towards Walt. I reached back to grab Olivia, but felt nothing but air. I turned around and she had disappeared.

  CHAPTER 21: OLIVIA

  MY HEART RACED AS I closed the door to The Stacks behind me. It was like I had been there before and knew how to get in. Once I was inside, I felt at home and rested.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about Henry and wondering if he was safe. Surely once his brother realized I was gone, he would leave Henry alone.

  I walked down the aisle and looked at the beautiful architecture in the room. It was as big as a football field. It stretched three stories with balconies on all levels with the main floor open. Everything was bright white with gold decals. The room was warm and smelled of fresh air.

  “Olivia Whitby.” A small squeaky voice said from behind me.

  I swung around but didn’t see anyone standing there.